Why Is Connecticut The Best Place To Live?

A Diverse and Thriving Arts Scene

Art and culture are part of the rhythm of life here. Explore world-class museums, powerful historic sites, intimate theaters, and vibrant music venues. From record shops and local galleries to cultural organizations that celebrate every background, there’s creativity around every corner.

Did you know? Lin-Manuel Miranda — yes, Alexander Hamilton himself — wrote his first Tony awards winning musical, In the Heights, in Connecticut while attending Wesleyan University. He developed the show while at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Music Theater Conference. Other Broadway smash hits were created here, like Annie and Oklahoma, and we attract world-class acts to our stunningly beautiful theaters around the state.

Connecticut is also a popular state for holiday films. The state even boasts a Christmas Movie Trail, as its cities and towns have been backdrops for more than 22 holiday movies!

Great Career and Entrepreneurship Opportunities

Connecticut is an ideal place to start a big career, thrive in a booming industry, build a new business, and make a difference. Ready to level up? Strategic location and proximity to New York and Boston, a dynamic economy, high pay, and enviable work culture are just a few reasons people are flocking to jobs here.

Build your future in a state where innovation thrives. From cutting-edge healthcare to advanced aerospace engineering, Connecticut leads in industries that shape the world. It’s also a place where entrepreneurs launch bold ideas and small businesses scale with support. No wonder 15 Fortune 500 companies have taken notice.

An established heavyweight in insurance, manufacturing, and aerospace, Connecticut is rapidly making a mark in today’s growing industries. Combined with the unmatched intellectual capital and performance of Connecticut’s workforce and a business climate that helped lock in a 7th Best State for Business ranking, top employers put their roots down in this state.

According to the latest federal data, the five-year survival rate for new businesses in Connecticut clocks in at a strong 57.5 percent. That puts the state at second place nationally, out-performing the U.S. average of about 51.6 percent.

It means if you’re starting a business here, you’re not just taking a shot in the dark. You’re launching in a place where the majority of entrepreneurs are still going strong five years later.

Dynamic Cities and Picturesque Towns

Life in Connecticut’s neighborhoods and cities is filled with energy. With a top-notch quality of life and so many things to do close by, there are endless reasons to stay, play, live, and work in these local scenes.

Find where you belong in Connecticut. With 169 towns, each presenting a unique personality, new residents can easily discover the neighborhood that fits their needs. Recognized for its safety (ranked the sixth-safest state in the nation by WalletHub) the state offers an ideal blend of small-town charm, walkable downtowns, and lively cities.

Connecticut’s spirit of innovation shines through in local shops, attractions, and restaurants. Here, you’ll find a place that feels like home and a community that inspires you to build a great life.

Connecticut is also powered by people who roll up their sleeves and strengthen their communities every day. From neighborhood revitalization and youth programs to food security, arts access, and local small-business support, these leaders are driving real change.

A Progressive, Inclusive Culture

Connecticut has an energy like nowhere else. We’re a state of makers and doers, powered by innovation and progress. Diversity is in our DNA — and it’s celebrated with open arms. The state has long welcomed people from many different cultures, sexual orientations, and diverse backgrounds, continuing to add to the richness of life in Connecticut. We value unique perspectives and proudly support our top-ranked education systems. In Connecticut, everyone can flourish, make a meaningful impact, and find the freedom to make the life they want.

Backed by statewide partnerships and a deep culture of civic pride, Connecticut offers countless ways to make a meaningful difference—and to be part of a community that’s building a brighter future for everyone.

Ranked the #1 most inclusive state in the country, diversity is an important part of Connecticut’s fabric. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practices are woven into our policies, workplaces, cultural groups, and more — making the state a welcome home for all people looking to build a great life that’s uniquely theirs.

Connecticut is a top 10 state for gender equity ( #7, US News and World Report) and a top 10 state for racial progress (Wallethub)
Eight of Connecticut’s cities rank in the top 25 for diversity (WalletHub)
Connecticut is #2 in LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index (Out Leadership)
Connecticut public schools receive about 92% of their funding from state and local sources.
Connecticut was the second state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage, in 2008, and has been named a top state for LGBTQ+ Americans to live in.
Connecticut has anti-discrimination laws that support diversity, promoting it in public schools, and encouraging it in state boards and commissions.
The Office of Educational Opportunity works to improve enrollment, retention, and graduation rates for underserved students.
Reproductive rights are protected in Connecticut, up to 24 weeks. The right to an abortion has been codified in Connecticut state law since 1990. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end the federal constitutional protection of abortion will not impact abortion rights in Connecticut.

Education is Paramount

A smarter life begins in Connecticut. With some of the nation’s highest-performing public schools and world-class universities, Connecticut puts education first at every level. The state is a leader in early childhood education access and consistently ranks among the top in public school performance nationwide. By prioritizing equity, innovation, and opportunity, Connecticut creates learning environments where every student can thrive.

Connecticut has the #2 best school systems in the country, and is among the top 5 most educated states in the country, according to WalletHub. The state also has the third-highest percentage of graduate or professional degree holders in the country.

WalletHub also ranks Connecticut’s average university quality as #4 in the nation, with Yale University in the top 5 best national universities and University of Connecticut ranked #32 in top public schools, according to U.S. News and World Report.

A Haven For Families

When you are ready to start a family and put down roots, there is no better place to do it than Connecticut. There’s no place like home, and it’s easy to make yours here.

Our schools are always among the top in the nation, and our communities are ranked among the safest in the country every year. In fact, we’re home to America’s safest city: Ridgefield.

In 2025, WalletHub named Connecticut one of the top 10 states to raise a family. The site compared the 50 states across 50 key indicators of family-friendliness, including factors like the median annual family income, housing affordability, health care quality, crime rate, and school quality.

Access to Everything

It’s easy to navigate Connecticut within its borders, and the state’s small size makes travel simple. But its southern New England location is also ideal, situated right between New York and Boston. Metro-North commuter rail connects Connecticut to New York City, while Amtrak’s high-speed routes link the state to destinations across the Northeast, including Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Connecticut is located in one of the most connected and accessible areas in the country, just a short drive to the region’s biggest cities. It’s also serviced by top-rated Bradley International Airport, the second-largest airport in New England, which offers 44 nonstop destinations within the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Ireland.

A World-Class Food Scene

Foodies can easily find a home in Connecticut, where nationally-ranked chefs and top-ranking dishes are always innovating and kicking up the flavor. And with 98% of Connecticut restaurants operating as independently-owned businesses, the culinary scene is truly unique, diverse, and high-quality, with global influences reflected in every corner of the state. Whatever cuisine you’re craving, you’re likely to find it here.

The state is a high-caliber destination for culinary experiences, from casual to white-tablecloth. We’re home to the birthplace of the hamburger: Louis’ Lunch in New Haven. We’re also the Pizza Capital of the U.S., with an official trail of 100 top pizzerias, including some of the most famous spots in the country (ever heard of Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally’s Apizza, or Modern Apizza?) You can follow other food and drink trails to experience the incredible tastes the state has to offer, including beer, wine, chocolate, oysters, and cocktails.

The state has had multiple James Beard Foundation award winners and finalists over the past several years, with the 2024 Best Chef: Northeast honor going to chef David Standridge of The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic. Internationally-renowned celebrity chefs have also brought their restaurant brands to Connecticut, including Masaharu Morimoto, Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. (Jacques Pépin also calls Madison home, and frequents the restaurant scene on the shoreline!)

Connecticut has a long-standing reputation for fine dining, as well as a strong farming heritage. Many of the restaurants here have depended upon locally-grown foods and products for generations — long before there was a “farm-to-table movement.” Today, we’re proud of the many chefs and culinary professionals who build their innovative menus around sustainable, local ingredients, and we’re honored to have so many of the farmers, fishermen, cheesemakers, and other producers continue to bring the freshest, finest product to our tables.

Exceptional Healthcare

Health is at the heart of life in Connecticut. Consistently ranked among the top states for healthcare access and quality, Connecticut offers an essential blend of compassionate care and medical innovation. From nationally recognized hospitals to groundbreaking biotech research, the state is advancing preventive care, treatment, and community wellness—helping every resident live a healthier, longer life. The state is a hub for top-tier healthcare whenever or wherever you need it.

Connecticut is ranked #3 in the U.S. for healthcare (U.S. News and World Report) and as one of the top 5 healthiest states in the nation (United Health Foundation).

Find Your Niche With Social and Cultural Groups

Looking to connect IRL? From book clubs to cultural groups, social networks across the state offer ways to meet people, share passions, and feel part of something meaningful.

Connecticut is rich with world culture, demonstrated by the welcoming groups bringing people together over love of heritage. Consider these international groups and don’t miss these celebrations and restaurants that serve up the best in taste and tradition throughout the year.

Is physical activity a big part of your life? Whether you’re new in town or looking for a refresh, these social sports groups blend fitness, adventure, and grown-up fun for all levels.

Looking to give back to your community through volunteerism? Altruists are gathering for good to expand learning opportunities and further their career readiness. These groups across the state help uncover the value that volunteering can bring to your life.

Sustainability is a Part of Everyday Life

From farm-fresh food and clean energy to eco-conscious design and green public spaces, this is a place where living well and living responsibly go hand in hand. See why the state’s a great choice for health and sustainability.

Locally, doers are powering up a green scene tackling sustainability at every angle — from food production and energy solutions to furniture production, environmental engineering, and beyond. These Connecticut companies are taking root and growing something good. Some are the first of their kind in the nation. And some are working to green-ify their own backyard.

The state was ranked top 10 in the nation for energy efficiency by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), as well as one of the top 10 greenest states in the country by WalletHub.

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